renn911

My drivers side rear tire has a leak that loses about 8lbs/day. Can you successfully patch a tire that gets some DE use or does it need to be replaced? They both have about 75% tread remaing, so I don't think the diameter difference will be an issue. My gut is to replace it, but wanted to ask for others experience/opinions.
Thanks in advance,

Tom W

If the hole is in the tread area and not the sidewall, there is no reason why it can't be patched and used. I've patched a couple of tires with minor holes for races and had zero issues for multiple sessions/races after patching.

strandolph

+1 ^

MikeBat

Racerron is my mechanic, and he says the same.

He patched my rear passenger tire, which had a nail in the tread. No loss of pressure since.

renn911

Good to know, saves me some $$$.
Thanks!

Bull

Just be certain it is patched correctly by a shop that usually deals in tires like you have on the car.

speedread

Mine turned out to be a valve core failing. After a quick replacement. No more leaking.

Renn 951

+1, corner gas station is not the place to do this!

fatbillybob

some race rubber are not ment to be used for long storage times. You could get leaks in the sidewall to main tread interface where the tires seems to be weakest. You may see small rubber cracks on the sidewalls especially on the inner bead. Spray some soapy water on the tire to find out where it is. If it is on the sidewall you need a new tire.

Chris M.

I had a brand new RA-1 on it's first day of use go flat during a run session at Mid Ohio last year. I pitted and found a chunk of metal in the tread section. I took the tire to a shop, they patched it properly, and that tire now has 52 heat cycles.

DarkSideDE

Tom, I have no experience to go on for the actual tire and patching process. But I can share that at our home track, if a tire is known to have a patch (to get her home) the starter will not allow that car on the track for safety reasons.

Should something happen - it would end up most likely involving others on the track. And as you know, this sport is for the safety of all....

TAI2

A related question: Any problem doing DE's with a tire that has a notch in the rim protector bead (yes I hit a curb but the rim is OK)? This notch or divot is about 3/8 long and goes no deeper than the height of the rim protector bead. Thanks.

Professor Helmüt Tester

^^^^^^^MOST LIKELY CAUSE^^^^^^^^

If you can't find a puncture/screw/nail in the tire body, most likely it's the valve core, or a leaky stem. Cheap fix. Check this first.

weneversleep

Wow. I've always been told that you should _never_ run a patched or plugged tire on the track...

Silver C

As you scream through turn 3 at the Glen on your DE - think what would happen with a sudden loss of tire pressure to that right rear would do, a new tire would seem a very cheap option.

I have a plugged street tire, done properly, the shop followed a very strict routine as they are very aware of litigation and the plug manufacturer claims it to be totally capable, the choice is yours.

Of course, I have no evidence of such catastrophic failures, maybe it doesn't happen - ??